Edinburgh’s Got Talent: Age is no barrier for Ellen Brown in glory quest

The 12-year-old singer is the most junior member of ten finalists who will be vying to win Edinburgh’s Got Talent at the Festival Theatre later this month.

The circumstances are similar to her dancing classes where Ellen regularly trains alongside girls who are two or three years older.

She said: “Most of them are older than me. They’re friends with my sister, but they always come to support me. I’m not sure if my age will be an advantage. It might be.”

Musselburgh Grammar School pupil Ellen has been singing and dancing since the age of two and recorded her audition after being encouraged by her mother.

“I just feel really happy when I sing,” Ellen said. “I feel like I can just be myself.

“I’ve always wanted to sing in front of a big audience.”

Slow ballad Angel by Sarah McLachlan will be Ellen’s piece for the final. It is the type of music that Ellen has her heart set on one day recording if she can realise her dream of becoming a professional performer.

If that career path proves unsuccessful, she also has ambitions of becoming a primary school music teacher.

For now she has been content to fine tune her craft as a “singer for hire” at family parties. Her public appearances have included singing at her grandfather’s 70th birthday celebrations and her cousin’s 18th.

Ellen said making the top ten had already been unexpected and she would be happy whether she won or not.

She said: “I’m just in it to be recognised really.”

Her mum, Alison, said: “She seems quite laid back about it – excited though. She’s taken it in her stride, more so than her mother.”

The winner of the final on October 26 will receive a £1000 cash prize and will perform at the Radio Forth Awards.

n Learn about finalist Shayne Kidd in Monday’s Evening News.